Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Flashcards
Definition of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (MPAs)
Botanical raw materials, herbal drugs, that are primarily used for therapeutic, aromatic and/or culinary purposes as components of cosmetics, medicinal products, health foods and other natural health products
Primary metabolism
Substances and processes which are essential for growth and development of the individual
Characteristic: Universal, uniform, relatively few evolutionary changes
Secondary metabolism
Deriving from the primary metabolism, comprises substances and processes whose functions are related to the interaction of the individual with the environment
Characteristic: Secondary metabolites are dominant in certain organs and depend on developmental stage and other impact factors; strong changes during evolution and during life cycle
Bioactive substances mainly originate from secondary metabolism
Why does a plant produce secondary metabolites?
Examples of secondary metabolism
Alkaloids (contain min. 1 nitrogen atom)
Phenols (phenolic ring)
Terpenoids
Essential oils
Essential oils
Only Terpenoids
Highly volatile
Typical for plants of Lamiaceae, Apiaceae and Asteraceae
Essential oils are produced in specific glands on leaf surface
Examples of essential oils with scientific proof
Rosemary essential oil (mind clearing, stimulating memory)
Lavender essential oil (Effect on anxiety levels)
How can plants be a source for bioactive compounds?
Plant compounds are extracted and used by chemists as models for synthetic compounds
Example: Acetyl salicylic acid from Salix spp.
Plant molecules are extracted / isolated as elements for semi-synthetic compounds
Example: Artemether from Artemisia annua
A pure compound is extracted from the plant and used as such
Example: Morphine from Papaver somniferum
A multi-component mixture presents the active principle of the plant
-> mixture is used for the finished product
Example: Curcuma officinalis thizome powder, Valeriana off. root extract, Hypericum perforatum herb extract
Functional foods
Foods which are intended to be consumed as part of the normal diet and that contain biologically active components (e.g. phytochemicals, probiotics etc.) which offer potential of enhanced risk or reduced risk of disease
Claim of health effect is only possible if data from human studies are available adn these have been recognized by EFSA
Food supplements
Concentrated sources (e.g. extracts) of nutrients (or other substances) with a nutritional or physiological effect.
Can be marketed in “dose” form, such as pills, tablets, capsules, liquids in measured doses
-> health claims are not allowed
Herbal preparations
Herbal medicinal products (finished product)
Different catefories of plant-based products and their regulation
What requirements have to be fulfilled with evidence based phytopharmaceuticals?
What are no evidence based phytopharmaceuticals?
